Help! Moving from California... Where to live with three kids?

[SaturdaySunday]

We will be moving to London from California this July/August. Have a ds (15) will need secondary school, dd (5) need primary school and ds2 (2) home with me for now. Cannot afford independent schools so need to live somewhere with good state schools and reasonable chance of getting in.

Our criteria for schools: no uniforms, smaller size, ethnically diverse, great teachers and happy kids.

We can afford up to 2500 for 3 bedroom. DH will be working in Shoreditch (Garden Walk) and up to 40 minute commute okay, less is better. Want village-like feeling, safe, and access to great parks.

Our shortlist for now is: Greenwich, Islington, Canonbury. Any info on primary or secondary schools in these areas? Or other areas we should consider?

A lot to ask, I know! Thanks for any tips and thoughts you might have... This is an exciting move for us but very daunting digging through all the school and neighborhood info. Other similar threads I have seen are a few years old and assuming things might have changed. Thank you!

[RiversideMum]

Shoreditch is on the new overground train circle. You can almost get to Croydon in your 40 mins preferred travel time. Not an area I know, but like others have said, the further out of central London you go, the cheaper the rentals.

[LIZS]

Think I mentioned iGCSEs on the other thread but not sure how available these are in non-selective state schools - OP needs to ask the schools or look on individual websites. Agree Croydon/SE London, E London/Essex perhaps is a better bet budgetwise and still commutable. You may have to extend the 40 min commute for the sake of the family overall though.

[phr1]

Hi! ... Just saw this thread..I am in the same situation but moving back from Canada.
I would be really intreated to know how did the move go for you and where did you end up renting? Are you happy with your choice? Looking around Muswell Hill for now but prices are expensive for a 3 bed within catchment for secondary.
If you are still following this let me know.
Thanks